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Aboriginal Affairs staff at Queen's Park will continue to work with Treaty 3 and its communities, as they work towards reforms to the logging licensing process as well as the Mining Act.

Ministry spokesman Kevin Dove said Tuesday they were continuing to work with a range of partners on resource development, but Monday's announcement by the premier that 50 per cent or 22.5 million acres north of the 51st parallel will be protected from industrialized development was focused on the 33 First Nations in Nishnawbe Aski Nation that live there.

Talks on benefit sharing would also include staff from Northern Development and Mines and Natural Resources, as well as leaders from Treaty 3, Dove noted.

A range of provincial representatives attended a mining conference in Kenora earlier this year, which openly touted the Great Earth Law proposed by Grand Council Treaty 3. Also known as the Resource Law, it would outline a process for consultations with First Nations affected by development, as well as a forum for early and informed consent.

Part of the approval process through the grand council could include benefit-sharing agreements for communities within Treaty 3. These accords could involve the sharing of revenues from natural resources such as stumpage fees or royalties from the extraction of minerals and precious metals.

The province has already been involved in memorandum of understandings with Wabaseemoong (Whitedog) prior to the opening of iLevel Weyerhaeuser (then Trus Joist), as well as native communities surrounding the De Beers diamond mine near Attawapiskat.

Developers and governments are also expected to reach an understanding surrounding the Two Feathers post and beam plant in Red Lake, where an announcement on development is expected this fall.

Grand Chief Stan Beardy from Nishnawbe Aski Nation heralded Monday's announcement, saying it would help their members become active participants in developing their own communities.

"Our lands hold great potential for economic opportunities and the chance to create better lives for our people," he said.

A new consultation process may also provide certainty for all parties, including aboriginal people, investors and municipalities.

Earlier Tuesday, provincial staff and representatives from Grassy Narrows went for a visit to the Whiskey Jack Forest as they continue to meet regularly in an effort to resolve their differences.

Following the signing of their own memorandum of understanding in June, the First Nation and the province are establishing working groups in order to focus on key areas of contention.

While the ministry has suggested answers can be found within months, there's also been talk of a budget for a four-year work plan.